Is there a way to work on a site theme with a provisional domain?

  • Unknown's avatar
    michelleptybcn · Member ·

    I have my website running with another provider at the moment, but I want to change the design using a new WP theme I just bought. I want to work on the new version of my website and connect the domain when it’s ready. I see that the system obligates me to connect, buy or map my domain right away! I prefer to work under whatever url by now. Any ideas? Thank you!

  • staff-mckluskey · Staff ·

    Hi there!

    There’s no need to use your domain right at the start. You can work on your site using the free .wordpress.com subdomain – just make sure to choose that free option when creating your site – and only map or transfer your custom domain once you’re ready.

  • Unknown's avatar
    michelleptybcn · Member ·

    Thanks for your help! This would have been much easier if they’ve indicated this right there. WordPress UX is a fail to me :( . My experience going back to wp has been a nightmare :(

  • Unknown's avatar
    michelleptybcn · Member ·

    Actually, I’m still strolling around different screens since I bought the theme. Now I see that I must upgrade and pay 300€ to be able to install my theme. So now I see that you cannot build without paying and pay once you have your site ready, or I am still not finding my ways… :( And this blog format is a non-sense to me… Oh I so hate WordPress! If you are not part of the sect, you are lost in translation :( Thanks anyways for your quick response!

  • fstat · Staff ·

    Hi there,

    Please note that WordPress.com is one of the many hosting providers that use the WordPress software to allow you to build your site. This means that you don’t necessarily need to upgrade to our Business plan to use the theme you have purchased. You can purchase a more affordable WordPress hosting elsewhere. Here are few recommendations:

    Hosting

    Hosting

  • Unknown's avatar
    michelleptybcn · Member ·

    Thanks! I have a hosting provider. I just need to start building my theme in my provisional site in WordPress. I finally got a url and entered the dashboard. I’ve been in both .org and .com dashboards and I see that to install a theme this is the correct url: https://skatelovebcn.wordpress.com/wp-admin/themes.php or https://wordpress.com/themes/skatelovebcn.wordpress.com.

    Here is where the system is obligating me to upgrade when I hit the “Install theme” button.

    It says:
    “To install themes you’ll need to:
    Upgrade to a Business plan
    You’ll also get to install custom plugins, have more storage, and access live support.
    By installing a theme the following change will be made to the site:
    WordPress.com Subdomains: Your subdomain will change from skatelovebcn.wordpress.com to skatelovebcn.wpcomstaging.com.
    Questions?: Contact support for help.
    Upgrade and continue
    WordPress.com Business – annual subscription
    skatelovebcn.wordpress.com
    300 EUR (25 EUR x 12 months)”

    Or am I on the wrong dashboard? Or what’s the trick now?

  • staff-blorbo · Staff ·

    You do need a paid Business Plan to upload themes here.

    If your main site is a self-hosted WordPress.org install, are you sure you don’t want to just set up a new subdomain through your hosting provider and install WordPress there?

    The two platforms are very different, so building something on WordPress.com that you intend to move to WordPress.org may not work out the way you’re expecting: https://wordpress.com/support/com-vs-org/

  • Unknown's avatar
    michelleptybcn · Member ·

    Thanks for your information!

    Can you please tell me which is the right WP platform to build a site? I think I got my original account from a very old blog. I just need it to build sites with themes that I purchase.

    I don’t have anything on WP, my live site is on Wix. I just want a new design trying WP as I know it’s more used, secure, efective and bla bla but this is killing me. My purchased theme is Evenz.

    And actually I imported the web from Wix just to see what happens and to see what materials I can get from there. Not much but now I know.

  • Unknown's avatar
    michelleptybcn · Member ·

    Sorry, now I see the link you sent me. I’ll check it out.
    So unless I pay 300€ now, I won’t be able to build my site with my purchased theme on WP. Fantastic :(

  • Unknown's avatar
    themagicrobot · Member ·

    @fstat already clearly explained. You’d need to pay WordPress.com 300 to use your theme here but you may possibly find a cheaper deal (although without all the featurs/support you’d get here) if you went somewhere else and install the wordpress software and theme and build your site there.

    Please note that WordPress.com is one of the many hosting providers that use the WordPress software to allow you to build your site. This means that you don’t necessarily need to upgrade to our Business plan to use the theme you have purchased. You can purchase a more affordable WordPress hosting elsewhere. Here are few recommendations:

    Hosting


    https://wordpress.org/hosting/

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